Research
Direct participation in the research process is perhaps my favorite aspect of the profession. Especially in an academic setting, the librarian has the benefit of exposure to interesting people who are working with interesting, novel concepts. As someone prone to regular bouts of curiosity, I can think of no more intellectually stimulating way of earning a living.
Over the course of my graduate studies in library science, I was encouraged to pursue a number of research projects - some for class credit, and others to fulfill a personal interest. The projects listed below have put me in touch with a broad range of individuals with diverse research needs, and have allowed me to develop both the interpersonal skills and mastery of research tools that are integral to being a successful librarian. In all cases, I was able to demonstrate the value of a trained librarian as a collaborator in research.
The National EEOC ADA Research Project
Client Profile: Headquartered at Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, the National Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Americans with Disabilities Act Research Project is a federally-funded initiative comprised of a nationwide network of faculty and graduate scholars. The primary aim of these researchers is the identification of trends in workplace discrimination against individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Research Needs: The researchers in question are primarily involved in mining data from information provided by the EEOC that consists of all closed investigations between 1992 and 2003. While Project researchers have published some 45 refereed journal articles over seven years of data mining, they had need of a comprehensive review of literature relating to disability and employment discrimination.
Outcome: After an initial interview to establish research parameters, along with several follow-up consultations, I was able to assemble the following annotated bibliography containing 119 relevant sources. The literature review was particularly useful in helping researchers connect with other like-minded scholars with whom they previously had no contact. I was also able to perform a citation analysis of articles published by the Project, allowing researchers to assess their impact in the field.
The National EEOC ADA Research Project
Circle of Empowerment
Client Profile: Matthew Manning is a registered nurse practicing at the St. Mary's Hospital System in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Matthew is also currently pursuing an advanced degree in health care administration through Marquette University's College of Nursing. As part of an independent study project, in addition to personal interest, Matthew has volunteered his services to a small, but growing non-profit international health care program operating in Nicaragua.
Research Needs: Specifically, Matthew's research interests in relation to Circle of Empowerment regard management and sustainability practices of other such non-profit, nongovernmental health care initiatives in developing countries.
Outcome: Through an initial round of searches, the paucity of literature on Matthew's specific subject became apparent. After re-evaluating search parameters, I was able to find a significant amount of literature on the sustainability practices of larger health care NGOs. This information, combined with findings from Matthew's visits to Nicaragua, can be used in addressing the substantial gap in scholarly literature relating to smaller non-profit health care NGOs in developing countries. Next steps include identifying potential sources of funding once a proposal for revised sustainability practices has been written.
Archaeology in Roman Dacia
Client Profile: A recent graduate of the Classics program at a respected midwestern university.
Research Needs: Though her studies focused on Latin instruction at the high school level, the client desired to explore a personal interest in archaeology, specifically in the Roman province of Dacia (modern Romania). Before submitting an application to participate in fieldwork abroad, she wished to become better acquainted with the scholarly literature surrounding the subject.
Outcome: I was able to use L'Annee Philologique, a database primarily used by classicists, to create a review of literature relevant to the subject in question. The client found the literature review helpful in writing her application essay and is currently awaiting a reply.
The Brazilian Naval Revolt
Client Profile: The client is a professor working in the History Department at a large midwestern university who specializes in the history of Brazil.
Research Needs: The professor in question was interested in a revolt of Brazilian naval officers that took place in the 1890s, shortly after the founding of the Brazilian Republic. Specifically, she sought biographical information about three figures central to the revolt, with emphasis on their activities after the revolt had played out.
Outcome: I was able to locate useful information about two of the three figures in question, as well as to identify several research organizations in Brazil that could further assist the professor. I also created a bibliography of sources available through WorldCat which the client found useful in revising a chapter of her dissertation.
Revolta da Armada - Biographies
Revolta da Armada - Bibliography